Transport for the North �needs more powers� to avoid further chaos�, Blake tells FT

Transport for the North �needs more powers� to avoid further chaos�, Cllr Blake has told the FT.

In an interview with the national newspaper, Cllr Judith Blake, Leader of Leeds City Council and Member of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, also says Transport for the North needs extra funding and a hands-on role in running lines.

Cut out

Cllr Blake, who has been asked by Rail Minister Jo Johnson to lead a review into recent, �catastrophic� rail disruptions, told the newspaper that Transport for the North had been 'cut out' of decisions on timetabling despite having joint responsibility for awarding franchises.

She said: �We want to understand how decisions were taken without the TfN board being fully informed. We were cut out.�

Guarantee

Cllr Blake is now seeking a guarantee from Transport Secretary Chris Grayling that there will be no further disruption if rail operator Northern goes ahead with its decision to return to a full timetable on Sunday 29 July. Her review will report its finding to the Department for Transport in September.